Level 1 • Lesson 76 — Illustrate a favorite scene

Objective

Choose a favorite scene from a story and draw it, showing the characters, the place, and what is happening, then use the picture to retell the scene.

Materials

One favorite storybook
Blank paper (or drawing paper)
Pencil ✏️, crayons, or markers
Optional: sticky notes to mark the favorite page

Mini-lesson — Drawing what you read

When we illustrate a story, we draw a picture that shows what we read.

A strong scene picture shows:

Who is in the scene (characters)
Where they are (setting)
What is happening right now (action)
How they feel (faces and body language)

Drawing a favorite scene helps your brain make a “mind movie” of the story.

We can say:

“In my scene, ___ and ___ are there.”
“They are in ___.”
“They are ___ (what they are doing).”

Later, you can use your picture to retell the scene in your own words.

Picture strip: A “favorite scene” drawing with characters and setting

Guided Practice — Mini-book: Illustrating a scene

How to use this mini-book:

Read a short story together.
Help your child pick one favorite scene.
Read each mini-book page and pause to add to the drawing.

Encourage simple shapes and big clear figures instead of tiny details at first.

Illustration words

illustrate scene character setting detail picture

Frames: “My picture shows ___.” “In this scene, ___ happens.”

Mini-Book: Illustrate a favorite scene

1

Pick your scene

Think about the story. Choose one part you really liked or thought was exciting.

Which scene will you draw?

2

Who is in the scene?

Say the names of the characters in that part. They will go in your picture.

Who needs to be in your drawing?

3

Where are they?

Think about the setting. Is it inside or outside? Add the ground, sky, or walls.

Where does this scene happen?

4

What are they doing?

Now draw what the characters are doing in that moment. Show their actions.

What is happening in your scene?

5

Add key details

Add a few details that matter, like a bridge, a bed, a tree, or a special object.

Which details are important to show?

6

Use your picture to retell

Point to your drawing and tell the scene in words, using the picture as a guide.

Can you retell the scene from your picture?

Project Practice — Illustrations and understanding

Read each sentence about illustrating a scene. Choose the best answer. Then press “Check answers”.

1) What does it mean to illustrate a story?

2) Why do you choose one favorite scene to draw?

3) What should you make sure to include in your scene picture?

4) In your picture, the setting is…

5) Why should your picture show what the characters are doing?

6) What are key details in your picture?

7) How can you use your picture after you finish it?

8) Which sentence shows you understood your scene well?

Quick Check (10 questions)

1) A story illustration is…

only a list of words a picture that shows part of the story a picture of random things you made up

2) When you pick a scene to draw, you should choose…

a part you did not read only the cover a part you liked or that was important in the story

3) Which should be in your scene picture?

the characters from that scene characters from a different book no characters at all

4) The setting of your scene is…

your favorite food where the scene takes place how tall you are

5) A good illustration shows…

only a blank page only tiny dots the people, place, and action in the scene

6) Key details are…

important things that help tell what is happening anything you draw with no reason only numbers you like

7) If you forget the scene, you can…

guess a new story reread that part of the book draw something from a TV show

8) How can you show feelings in your picture?

make every face the same hide all faces use faces and body poses that match the feelings

9) A good way to use your finished picture is to…

use it to retell the scene in your own words forget which story it was from never look at it again

10) To get better at illustrating scenes, you can…

never draw again practice choosing a scene, drawing it, and talking about it only draw pictures that are not from books

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Chose a specific scene from a story (not the whole book) Can name the characters and setting in that scene Drew a picture that shows who, where, and what is happening Included at least one or two key details from the text Can point to the picture and retell the scene in simple words

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can draw a favorite scene and talk about it 🙂 I need more practice illustrating scenes 😅 Drawing story scenes still feels tricky

I will practice…

Choosing one clear scene from a story Drawing characters, setting, and action Using my picture to retell the scene

Lesson 76: Illustrate a favorite scene